The restaurant was nothing like Mira expected.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, it had no grand chandeliers or ostentatious décor—just warm lighting, soft jazz playing in the background, and an intimate ambiance that made her feel like they were the only two people in the world.
Jae had chosen a table by the window, where the city lights glittered below like scattered stars. He stood as she approached, pulling out her chair with a quiet, "You look beautiful."
Mira had spent an embarrassing amount of time picking out her outfit—something between casual and elegant, not too formal, not too eager. But the way Jae looked at her made her forget all her second-guessing.
He was dressed down for once—no suit, just a dark button-down with the sleeves rolled up. His hair was slightly tousled, as if he'd run his hands through it one too many times before arriving.
Mira took a sip of her wine to steady herself. "So," she said, setting the glass down carefully. "Tell me about London."
Jae arched a brow. "London?"
"You went there for school, didn't you?"
A flicker of surprise crossed his face. "You remembered."
Mira shrugged, trying to sound casual. "I might've asked around after you left."
The corner of Jae's mouth lifted. "You asked about me?"
She flushed. "Shut up and tell me about London."
Jae leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine absently. "It was different," he said thoughtfully. "The architecture was beautiful—old stone buildings next to modern glass towers. And the parks... I used to walk through Hyde Park when I needed to think."
Mira smiled. "That sounds nice."
"It was," he admitted. "But I missed home. Missed the food, the sounds, the..." His gaze met hers. "The people."
Mira's fingers tightened around her glass. "Did you ever get used to it?"
"Eventually," he said. "I made a few friends. Learned to appreciate the history. But it never quite felt like..."
"Like here?"
Jae nodded. "Like here."
Silence settled between them, comfortable and warm.
Then—
"Did you ever date anyone?"
The question slipped out before Mira could stop it. Her eyes widened, and she nearly choked on her wine. "I mean—that's—you don't have to answer that—"
Jae smirked. "Jealous?"
"No," she lied.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "No. Not seriously, at least."
Mira blinked. "Really?"
"Really." Jae toyed with his fork absently. "There were a few... distractions, I suppose. But nothing that lasted."
Mira tried not to feel pleased by that. She failed.
Jae tilted his head. "What about you?"
Mira snorted. "Oh, sure. Tons of guys lining up for the girl who could barely string two sentences together."
Jae's expression darkened. "Anyone who couldn't see how incredible you were didn't deserve you."
Mira's face warmed. She took another sip of wine to hide her smile.
The waiter arrived with their food then—seared scallops for her, a perfectly cooked steak for Jae. They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the conversation flowing easier now, as if the years between them were slowly stitching back together.
Then—
"Why does Eun-ji like you so much?"
Jae nearly choked on his steak.
Mira winced. "Sorry. Too personal again?"
Jae wiped his mouth with a napkin, composing himself. "No, it's just... complicated."
Mira arched a brow. "Complicated how?"
Jae sighed, setting his fork down. "Our families have been close for generations. Our grandfathers were business partners. Our fathers... well, they always assumed we'd marry."
Mira's stomach twisted.
"It was never about me," Jae continued, his voice edged with frustration. "It was about mergers. About stock prices. About keeping the money in the family."
Mira frowned. "But you said no."
"I did."
"Why?"
Jae looked at her then, his gaze so intense it stole her breath. "Because I was waiting for someone else."
Mira's heart pounded.
Jae leaned forward slightly. "Eun-ji doesn't love me. She loves the idea of me. Of what I represent. And when I refused, she took it as a challenge."
Mira swallowed hard. "And now?"
"Now she's realized she can't win." Jae's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "So she's trying to destroy what she can't have."
Mira shivered.
Jae reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers. "But she won't."
Mira wanted to believe him.
The rest of the dinner passed in a blur—dessert (a chocolate torte they shared), more wine, laughter over stupid childhood stories. By the time they left, Mira's cheeks hurt from smiling.
Jae walked her to her door, stopping just outside.
"Thank you," Mira said softly. "For tonight."
Jae studied her for a long moment before murmuring, "I've waited so many years for this dinner, Mira. Thank you."
Then he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, her heart racing.
---
Mira woke to sunlight streaming through her curtains and the faint scent of peonies in the air.
She blinked, sitting up—and there they were.
A bouquet of white peonies sat on her nightstand, their petals soft and full, their fragrance delicate. Nestled between the stems was a small envelope.
Her heart skipped as she opened it.
"Good morning.
—J"
That was all it said.
Mira pressed the note to her chest, smiling.
---
For the first time in weeks, Mira walked into the office with her head held high.
"Someone's glowing today," Ji-hoon from marketing teased as they rode the elevator up, nudging her shoulder.
Mira rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile.
Her desk was exactly as she'd left it—except for a fresh cup of coffee sitting beside her keyboard, still steaming. She glanced around, but no one met her eyes.
Kim from accounting coughed pointedly. "No idea who left that."
Mira took a sip. Perfect.
She worked through the morning with renewed focus, the weight of the past weeks finally lifting.
---
At exactly 12:07 PM, the office chatter quieted.
Mira looked up—and there he was.
Jae stood in the doorway, dressed impeccably in a navy suit, his expression unreadable as always. But his eyes—his eyes went straight to her.
Mr. Han nearly tripped over himself. "Chairman Park! We weren't expecting—"
"Contract revisions," Jae said smoothly, not looking away from Mira. "I need to discuss them with Ms. Yoon."
Mira arched a brow. Liar.
Mr. Han hesitated. "Of course, but perhaps after lunch—"
"Now," Jae said, and that was that.
Mira gathered her things under the watchful eyes of her coworkers, their poorly hidden grins making her cheeks warm.
As they stepped into the elevator, Ji-hoon gave her an exaggerated thumbs-up behind Jae's back.
The elevator doors closed.
Jae finally relaxed. "Hungry?"
Mira blinked. "What?"
"I asked if you're hungry."
She crossed her arms. "I thought we were discussing contract revisions."
Jae smirked. "We are. Over lunch."
Mira opened her mouth to protest, but her stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.
Jae's lips quirked. "That answers that."
She huffed. "You could have just called."
"I could have," he agreed. "But then I wouldn't get to see your face when you pretend not to be happy to see me."
Mira's cheeks warmed.
---
They walked to a small café a few blocks away, the spring sun warm on their shoulders. Jae matched his stride to hers, his hands in his pockets.
"You didn't have to come all the way to the office," Mira said.
Jae glanced at her. "Yes, I did."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to see you." Simple. Direct. Devastating.
Mira's breath caught.
Jae stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "And because I wanted to ask you something."
She braced herself.
"Will you have dinner with me?"
Mira blinked. "We're literally having lunch right now."
Jae's lips quirked. "That's not an answer."
The breeze ruffled his hair, sunlight catching the gold in his eyes. Mira wanted to memorize this moment—the way he looked at her, like she was the only thing that mattered.
"Yes," she said softly.
Jae smiled—really smiled—and Mira's heart stuttered.
They spent the rest of lunch talking about nothing and everything, the conversation easy, comfortable.
When they returned to the office, the entire floor pretended not to stare.
Kim mouthed "Nailed it" behind Jae's back.
Mira kicked her under the desk.